Television

TelevisionTelevision Broadcasting programmes (the news, plays,

advertisemments, shows,etc.) for people to watch on their television sets.

A Scotsman, John Logie Baird, transmitted the first television picture on 25 October 1925.

In 1927 Baird sent pictures from London to Glasgow. In 1928 he sent pictures to New York and also produced the first colour TV pictures.

cable satellite

Television

Modern television offers the viewers a great variety of TV channels.

What is your favourite broadcasting company?

People can choose different TV programmes according to their tastes and interests.

News Sport programmes Talk, quiz, game shows Soap operas and serials Feature films and

documentaries Concerts and music

programmes Cartoons Programmes for children

Can you name other kinds of TV programmes?

Now guess the kind of TV programme:

A programme that is broadcast several times a day which tells you about all the important events.

(the news)

A film story for children made by photographing a series of drawings that they seem to move.

(cartoons)

A TV story about a group of people and their lives which is broadcast regularly for many years.

(soap opera)

A situation comedy, a form of humorous TV show having several standard characters who appear in different stories every week.

(sitcom)

A programme that gives you facts and information about a serious subject such as history, science social problems.

(documentary)

But the television has both advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s talk about some advantages. You may use these expressions:

- Main source of information;- Cheap form of entertainment;- An opportunity to “ travel” round the world;- To “meet” different people and learn about their

customs and traditions;- Expand knowledge (broaden one’s mind);- Rest and relax after…- Be a good friend for disabled and lonely people.

You should know that the television is doing irreparable harm.

Think about the disadvantages of the television. You may use these expressions:

- To become passive and lazy;- To become aggressive (programmes about murders, violence,

drugs);- To damage one’s eyes;- To become addicted to TV;- To forget about healthy mode of life;- To have no time to communicate with relatives and friends;- To forget about duties;- To sleep badly after horror films;- To stop reading books.

Let’s answer some questions:

How many hours a day do you watch TV? What TV programmes do you prefer? Do you watch TV before or after you have done

your homework? Who is your favourite TV host? Do you believe that violence on TV may turn

people into criminals? What would you change in the TV industry if you

were the Minister of Culture? Do you agree that the television has the power

to educate? Does advertisement annoy you?